Apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash plate type compressor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash plate type compressor characterized by an improved and simplified internal arrangement for distributing the lubricating oil separated from the refrigerant being returned continuously from a refrigerating circuit, into the slidably moving sections and elements of the compressor to give a smooth motion in addition to preventing the burning phenomenon of the sliding sections of the compressor, elimination of the oil pump, and the entire compressor-size being extremely compact.

United States Patent Nakayama 14 1 Aug. 7, 1973 [54] APPARATUS FORLUBRICATING A 3,217,978 11 /1965 Harlin n |84/6.I6

ROTARY sw s PLATE TYPE 2,106,236 1/1938 Burke 2,844,305 7/1958 Becht etal 134 616 x COMPRESSOR Inventor: Show Nakayama, Kariya, Japan PrimaryExaminer-Manuel A. Antonakas Attorney-Milton J. Wayne et a1.

[73] Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda,

Jidashokki Seisakusko, Archi-ken, Japan 22 Filed: on. 13, 1971 [57]ABSTRACT [2]] A l N 1889" An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swashplate type compressor characterized by an improved and simpli- [30]Foreign Application Priority Data fied internal arrangement fordistributing the lubricat- Oct. 15, 1970 Japan 45/102605 Oil separatedfrom the refrigerant being returned Apr. 6, 1971 Japan 46/25594continuously from refrigerating circuit. slidably moving sections andelements of the compressor 52 u.s. c1. l84/6.16, 184/27 R 8 a smoothmotion in addition to prevcmins the 51 1m. (:1. F1611 13/20 burning P ofthe sliding sections of the [58] Field 61 Search 62/134,470; 55/437;Pmwr, elimination of the Oil P p. and the entire 34 23 24 5 7 R, 617compressor-size being extremely compact [56] References Cited 16 Claims,9 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,057,545 10/1962 Ransom et a1184/27 X 5 3 Z 4 1 \\\A\\\\\\X1\\\\\\\\1\x\\\\\\\ 6 /U/ .1. 1. .1 ET HF@310 46 34 35 47 SIIEUlBfG CW3 10in:

PAIENIED AUG 7 I813 PAIENIEB 3.750.848

sum 2 0f 6 APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING A ROTARY SWASH PLATE TYPECOMPRESSOR The present invention relates to an improvement of a rotaryswash-plate type compressor mainly adapted to be used for the airconditioning of a vehicle, and more particularly relates to a novelapparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor in whichthe oil pump for distributing lubricating oil has been eliminated bydirectly leading the lubricating oil separated from the refrigerantdrawn from a refrigerating circuit, into several slidably moving androtating sections in the rotary swash-plate type compressor(hereinafter, referred to only as a compressor).

Generally, a compressor of this type includes an oil separatingmechanism, because the lubrication for the slidably moving and rotatingsections of the compressor are necessarily carried out by using the oilmixed within the refrigerant after separating it, and the oil separatingmechanism is usually formed in the suction chambers, that is, the spacesdisposed above the drive shaft provided with several slidably movingmembers such as bearings which should be always in the lubricated state.

The lubricating oil separated from the refrigerant by means of the oilseparating mechanism flows down once and is stored in a main oilreservoir disposed at the bottom section of the compressor body.Subsequently, in the conventional lubricating system, the oil stored inthe main oil reservoir is pumped up through a suction pipe by the oilpump cooperable with the drive shaft and also capable of distributingthe oil in the slidably moving sections through the supply passage boredin the axially central portion of the drive shaft.

However, there are many drawbacks in such a lubricating system includingthe high cost of the compressor, in that the lubricating oil having onceflowed down into the reservoir, must be pumped up again for supply toall sliding sections of the compressor for the purpose of lubrication.

Also, the disposition of the above-mentioned oil pump has not onlynecessiated much experience and skill to carry out the design,fabricating and assembling operation of incorporating the pump in thecompressor but also has necessitated additional driving power to rotatethe oil pump during the operation of the compressor.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the lubricatingmechanism of a rotary swash-plate type compressor, so that fabricatingand assembling operations of the compressor may be simplified and also,so that the entire compressor may be made more compact.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for lubricating a compressor in which burning of the slidingsections of the compressor at the starting moment of the operation iscompletely prevented.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compressorat low cost due to simplification of the internal mechanism, especiallythe lubricating mechanism thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the ensuing descriptions of several preferred embodimentswith reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a compressor according to theprior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematically perspective view of paired cylinder blocksaccording to the prior art;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematically perspective views of preferredembodiments of paired cylinder blocks according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of thecompressor showing the lubricating mechanism thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front view of another embodiment showing a front cylinderblock according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of thecompressor according to the present invention taken along the line A-Cof FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section view similar to FIG. 7 but taken along theline B--C of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a rear view of a front valve plate according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a conventional swash-plate typecompressor is shown in which 1 and 2 are a pair of front and rearcylinder blocks split vertically by a plane nonnal to the axis of bothcylinder blocks 1 and 2 while being arranged face to face in series. Atthe front and rear end surfaces of the paired cylinder blocks, 1, 2,there are attached front and rear housings 5, 6 also arranged in seriesin the axial direction via respective valve plates 3, 4 so as tosandwich the entire cylinder blocks 1 and 2.

Also, these cylinder blocks are rigidly combined with each other by ashell 7 while being restricted to a predetermined positionalrelationship. Drive shaft 8 cooperable with the driving section of thevehicle's engine, is arranged to extend in through-bores 40, 4I boredlongitudinally in the central portions of both cylinder blocks I and 2,and is rotatably supported by needle bearings 46, 47 mounted at therespective outer ends of said blocks 1, 2, while a rotary swash-plate 9is keyed on the shaft 8 around the combined portion of cylinder blocks 1and 2. Three pairs of six cylinder bores 45 in cylinder blocks 1, 2 arelocated substantially in parallel with the axis of drive shaft 8 andwith double acting pistons 12 are slidably inserted therein.

Each of the pistons 12 is provided with head sections at the endsthereof which are slidably fitted within cylinder bores 45 and isprovided with a section connecting both heads which is cut away at oneside thereof so as to cross over above the outer fringe of swash-plate9. The cut away portions of pistons 12 are associated with both sidefaces of swash-plate 9 by means of balls 11 and shoes 10, respectively,so that the rotating motion of swash-plate 9 provides reciprocatingmotions of pistons 12. The axial thrust load from the pumping action ofpistons 12 is assumed by a pair of thrust bearings 42, 43 arrangedbetween end surfaces of boss sections of swash-plate 9 and respectivecylinder blocks 1 and 2' Chambers 13 and 14 located at the front portionof front cylinder block I and at the rear portion of rear cylinder block2, respectively, make use of the spaces disposed above drive shaft 8,each of which is a sectorially formed space enclosed by the walls ofshell 7 and the two neighbouring cylinder bores 45. 15 shows a suctionpassageway axially connecting both chambers 13 and 14 which has a crosssectional area smaller than the cross sectional areas of chambers I3,l4.

The passageway 15 and both chambers 13 and 14 provide a complete suctionchamber 28 inside shell 7.

A suction opening 16 for introducing refrigerant into said chamber 28 isconnected through shell 7 to passageway 15, while a discharge opening 17for discharging refrigerant compressed by the compressor is connectedlyarranged at a portion of the rear housing 6. As shown in FIG. 2,lubricating oil supplied to chambers 13 and I4 covered by shell 7 flowsdown through the passing grooves 22 and 23 channeled at thecircumferential surfaces of respective cylinder blocks 1 and 2 and isthen stored in oil reservoir 24. The lubricating oil stored in oilreservoir 24 is pumped upwardly by oil pump 25, which cooperates withdrive shaft 8 of the compressor, through suction pipe 26, and is thendistributed to respective bearings by means of an oil supply passage 27bored in the center of drive shaft 8.

The present invention will now be illustrated based upon severalpreferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, channels I8, 19 for flowing thelubricating oil downwardly are formed on the end surfaces of frontcylinders l and 2 with which surfaces valve plates 3, 4 are in contact,respectively. However, channels l8, 19 may be formed on the surfaces ofvalve plates 3 and 4 or, may be grooved on both facing surfaces of thecylinder blocks and valves. Holes 20, 21 shown in FIG. 4 are formed incylinder blocks 1 and 2 and illustrate another embodiment instead of theabove-mentioned channels. Holes 20, 21 provided for the downward flow oflubricating oil extend from the bottom surfaces of chambers 13, 14 tothe upper portions of drive shaft 8.

Now, gaseous refrigerant. evaporated by passing through an evaporator(not shown) circulates in predetermined refrigerating circuits, and thenreturns to the compressor.

The refrigerant is drawn from suction opening 16 formed to extendthrough shell 7 into suction passageway 15 and here, it is branched intotwo separate streams which advance through respective chambers 13 and 14to be sucked into the bore sections of respective cylinder blocks 1, 2.

During the above-mentioned flowing operation of the refrigerant, thelubricating oil contained in the refrigerant is partially separated onaccount of the difference between the two inertias, when the gaseousrefrigerant directed at the inner wall of passageway 15 turns at rightangles while branching into two separate streams.

Also, the oil still remaining in the refrigerant separates into oilparticles under the force of gravity while the refrigerant branchesflowing into respective chambers l3 and 14 provided with large crosssectional areas, are reduced in speed. The lubricating oil separatedfrom the refrigerants is collected at the bottoms of chambers 13 and 14and then flows down through channels 18, I9 and into the clearancesbetween drive shaft 8 and bores of respective cylinder blocks 1, 2 so asto lubricate all bearings, while the oil leaking from the bearingslubricates the swash-plate sections (referred to by arrows in FIG. Inanother embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the oil in chambers 13, I4 flowsdown through holes 20 and 2! to carry out lubrication of the bearings.

Next, another embodiment will be illustrated.

Referring now to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, oil grooves 38, 44 are channeled onvalve plates 3, such that both ends of both grooves are connected to thethrough-hole 30 bored at the center of valve plate 3. The other end ofoil groove 38 is connected to the above-mentioned chamber 13, while theother end of oil groove 44 is connected to main oil reservoir 24disposed at the bottom section of shell 7.

These oil grooves 38, 44 are also connected via through-hole 30 to asupplementary oil reservoir 39 which is connected to scaling chamber 37formed at the axially central portion of the above-mentioned fronthousing 5 and having a seal member 36 inside. In the embodiment shown,main oil reservoir 24 is provided by shell 7 which forms the outerperiphery of the entire compressor body. However, in the embodiment inwhich the entire cylinder blocks, 1, 2 form the outer periphery of theentire compressor body, one of the above-mentioned spaces formed insidecylinder blocks 1, 2 which is arranged at a lower part of drive shaft 8is adapted to be used for the main oil reservoir.

An oil groove 48 provided for passage of lubricating oil is connected tochamber 14 at one end thereof and is connected to through-hole 31 boredat the center of valve plate 4 at the other end thereof.

This oil groove 48 is also connected via through-hole 31 tosupplementary oil reservoir 32 which is centrally located with rearhousing 6 and opens onto the end of drive shaft 8 having a a bottomportion explained hereinafter. The dispositions of the above-mentionedoil grooves 38, 48 and 44 are not limited to the positions shown onvalve plates 3, 4. That is, oil grooves 38, 48 and 44 can be disposed atany such position consistent with obtaining the desired operations andeffects, where the lubricating oil separated from the refrigerant withinchambers I3, 14 is capable of being led into me dle bearings 46, 47 andalso, supplementary oil reservoirs 32 and 39 formed inside housings 5, 6through said oil grooves 38 and 48 and moreover, the oil led and storedwithin supplementary oil reservoir 39 is capable of flowing into mainoil reservoir 29. For example, oil grooves 38, 48 and 44 may be disposedon cylinder blocks I, 2, at the surface of each end thereof to whichsurfaces valve plates 3, 4 are connectedly attached respectively.

33 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is an oil supply passage longitudinallybored inside the abovementioned drive shaft 8 and part way therealongthus providing the hole with a bottom portion.

The opening of the hole, i.e. the other end, is connected to theabove-mentioned supplementary oil reservoir 32. This oil hole isprovided with open oil supply inlets 34 and 35 at positions whichcorrespond to the positions where thrust bearings 42 and 43 arearranged, respectively.

The entire arrangement above-mentioned is illustrated based upon theembodiment in which shell 7 forms the outer periphery of the compressorbody. However, the arrangement may be applied to the compressor in whichthe outer periphery thereof is formed by the cylinder blocks, that is tosay the abovementioned shell 7 is completely eliminated.

In the compressor of the present invention having the above-mentionedarrangement, gaseous refrigerant vaporized by an evaporator not showncirculates through a predetermined refrigerating circuit and returns tothe compressor so as to be led into suction chamber 28 through suctionopening 16 formed to extend through shell 7.

The refrigerant led into suction chamber 28 is directed at the insidewall of suction passageway 15 and here it is forcibly turned at rightangles while branching into two separate streams. This forced alterationof the refrigerant flow brings about a partial separation of thelubricating oil from the refrigerant. The refrigerant is branched insuction passageway into two separate streams which are led into chambersl3, 14 having large cross sectional areas which reduce their flowingspeed there so that oil particles having relative large weight areseparated from the refrigerant and are deposited in the bottoms ofchambers l3, 14.

The respective refrigerant branches in chambers l3, 14 from which thelubricating oil is completely eliminated are drawn into the cylinderbore sections of each cylinder block 1, 2 and after being compressedthere, are discharged from discharge opening 17. On the other hand, theseparated oil deposited in respective chambers 13 and 14 flows along thebottom surfaces thereof along with the flow of the refrigerant branches,so as to be led and stored in respective supplementary oil reservoirs 39and 32 of front and rear housings 5 and 6 through the above-mentionedoil grooves 38 and 48. A part of the lubricating oil stored insupplementary oil reservoir 39 lubricates needle bearing 46 as well asseal member 36 set in sealing chamber 37 of the front housing 5. Theexcess oil remaining in supplementary oil reservoir 39 is led to andstored in main oil reservoir 24 through the above-mentioned oil groove44.

The lubricating oil stored in supplementary oil reservoir 32 which isformed in rear housing 6, is led into oil hole 33 of drive shaft 8 andthen, it is supplied to lubricate thrust bearings 42 and 43 throughrespective oil supply inlets 34 and 35 by action of the centrifugalforce due to the rotation of drive shaft 8. The oil streams in thrustbearings 42 and 43 are directed therefrom by action of the centrifugalforce due to both bearings and a part of the flowing oil attaches toswashplate 9 so that shoes 10 and balls ll associated with swash-plate 9may be lubricated, while the other part of the oil is directed along theinner wall of the compressor to flow down along the wall surface intothe main oil reservoir 24.

Also, a part of the lubricating oil stored in the abovementionedsupplementary oil reservoir 32 lubricates needle bearing 47, and alsothrust bearing 43 via through-bore 4] of cylinder block 2, then flowsdown into main oil reservoir 24 in the same manner as above.

As will be understood, the existence of both supplementary oilreservoirs 39 and 32 prevents burning of the rotating elements of thecompressor such as needle and thrust bearings which might occur at themoment of starting of the operation of the compressor.

Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention is capable ofcarrying out lubricating operation by using an amount of oil which isproportional to the amount of the refrigerant circulating in apredetermined refrigerating circuit.

At the same time, the apparatus according to present inventioneliminates the conventional oil pump so that the effective volume of therear housing is increased while the drawing distance of the refrigerantis shortened so as to increase the volumetric efficiency of thecompressor.

Also, the above-mentioned fact provides a capability of reducing thevolume of the housings and the oil reservoir arranged at the bottomportion of the shell without decreasing the compressing efficiency sothat a compact compressor can be obtained.

Furthermore the compressor is always equally lubricated at both frontand rear sections and also, the lubricating oil reserved in the main oilreservoir is never pumped up because of elimination of the oil pump sothat the lubricating oil in the main oil reservoir is never exhausted.

Also, the presence of the supplementary oil reservoirs has the effect ofpreventing the burning of all sliding and moving sections of thecompressor even at the starting moment of its operation.

The invention has been described in detail with reference to severalpreferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be further effected within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

1 claim:

1. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor forcompressing refrigerant which has entrained oil therein, said compressorbeing of the type including a pair of front and rear cylinder blockswhich are combined with each other in an axial alignment to formcombined blocks having a combining portion therebetween, separatehousings mounted at front and end sections of said combined cylinderblocks and separated therefrom by separate respective valve plates, adrive shaft inserted in a shaft-bore formed in said combined cylinderblocks, a suction inlet to said compresam, a swash-plate keyed on saiddrive shaft in the vicinity of said combining portion and capable ofrotating in a unitary state with said drive shaft, and a separate thrustbearing between each cylinder block and said swash-plate around saidshaft bore; said apparatus comprising a chamber in each said blockextending between said suction inlet and the respective valve plate andpositioned to change the direction of refrigerant entering said inlet,first passageways extending from the bottoms of said chambers fordirecting oil separated in said chambers to said shaft, and secondpassageways directing oil from said first passageways means to saidthrust bearings.

2. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways forleading the separated oil comprise oil grooves pierced through thejunctionsurfaces between said cylinder blocks and said valve plates, andsaid second passageways comprise the shaft-bore of said combinedcylinder blocks.

3. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways forleading the separated oil comprise oil channels arranged in saidcylinder blocks, and said second passageways comprise the shaft-bore ofsaid combined cylinder blocks.

4. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways forleading the separated oil comprise oil channels arranged in said valveplates, and said second passageways comprise the shaft-bore of saidcombined cylinder blocks.

5. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways forleading the separated oil comprise oil grooves pierced through thejunctionsurface between said rear cylinder block and said correspondingvalve plate, and said second passageways comprise an oil holelongitudinally bored in said drive shaft having an opening at its rearend communicating with said first passageways and open oil inletslocated to direct oil from said oil hole to said thrust bearings.

6. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways forleading the separated oil comprise oil channels arranged in saidcylinder blocks, and said second passageways comprise an oil holelongitudinally bored in said drive shaft having an opening at its rearend communicating with said first passageways and open oil inletslocated to direct oil from said oil hole to said thrust bearings.

7. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways forleading the separated oil comprise oil channels arranged in said valveplates, and said second passageways comprise an oil hole longitudinallybored in said drive shaft having an opening at its rear endcommunicating with said first passageways and open oil inlets located todirect oil from said oil hole to said thrust bearings.

8. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 comprising a supplementary oil reservoir within atleast one of said front and rear housings, characterized in that saidfirst passageways for leading the separated oil extend between a chamberand said supplementary oil reservoir and said second passageways extendthrough an axial through-hole in said corresponding valve plate.

9. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 8 comprising a main oil reservoir at the lowerportion of said compressor and comprising an oil channel meansconnecting said supplementary oil reservoir to the main oil reservon.

10. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 8 comprising a main oil reservoir at the lowerportion of said compressor and comprising an oil channel meansconnecting said supplementary oil reservoir to the main oil reservoirsaid oil channel means extending at least partly in the correspondingcylinder block.

II. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 8 comprising a main oil reservoir at the lowerportion of said compressor and comprising an oil channel meansconnecting said supplementary oil reservoir to the main oil reservoirsaid oil channel means extending at least partly in a valve plate.

12. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 comprising supplementary oil reservoirs foundwithin said front and rear housings characterized in that said firstpassageways for leading the separated oil extend via axial through holesin said respective valve plates to said supplementary reservoirs.

13. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 12 comprising a main oil reservoir at the lowerportion of said compressor, and further comprising an oil channelconnecting one of said supplementary oil reservoirs to the main oilreservoir.

14. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 12 comprising a main oil reservoir at the bottomportion of said compressor, and comprising oil channels connecting saidsupplementary oil reservoirs to the main oil reservoir, at least a partof the oil channels being in the corresponding cylinder block.

15. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 12 comprising a main oil reservoir at the bottomportion of said compressor, and comprising oil channels connecting saidsupplementary oil reservoir to the main oil reservoir at least a part ofthe oil channels being in a valve plate.

16. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 wherein said chambers have larger cross sectionalareas than said suction inlet to said compressor, whereby the runningspeed of the refrigerant in said chambers is less than in said inlet,and oil remaining in the refrigerant separates into oil particles whichfall under the force of gravity to the bottoms of said chambers.

I i i i l UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PetentNo. I750 848 I Dated August 7 1973 Shoz-o Nakay ama V Inventor(s) I I Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet 173} Assignees Ke'bushi ki Keisha 'Toyada, Jidasho kki Seisakusko, ATchi-ken, Japan" should read Kabushiki Keis a ToyodaJidoshokki Seisakusho, Aichi-ken,

[Japan 7 Signed and sealed this 27th day of August 1974.

I (SEAL) Attestz I MCCOY M GIBSON, JR. c. MARSHALL DANN AttestingOfficer 7 Commissioner of Patents 3 "FORM {DO-1050 (0.69) I USCOMM-DC60376-P6L W U 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I965 O3GG-33 &,

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Petent No. I750848 I Dated August 7 1973 Shoz-o Nakay ama V Inventor(s) I I It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet 173} Assignees Ke'bushi ki Keisha 'Toyada, Jidasho kki Seisakusko, ATchi-ken, Japan" should read Kabushiki Keis a ToyodaJidoshokki Seisakusho, Aichi-ken,

[Japan 7 Signed and sealed this 27th day of August 1974.

I (SEAL) Attestz I MCCOY M GIBSON, JR. c. MARSHALL DANN AttestingOfficer 7 Commissioner of Patents 3 "FORM {DO-1050 (0.69) I USCOMM-DC60376-P6L W U 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I965 O3GG-33 &,

atl'ltl NO- Dated August Shozo Nakayama Inventor(s) v V This certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

011 the cover sheet 175} Assigneea Kebushiki Keisha "Toyada, Jidashokk iSeisakusko, Arehi-ken, Japan" shou Tad Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Aichi-ken,

Signed and sealed this 27th day of August 1974.

[S Attestz MCCOY M GIBSON, JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer 7Cmmnissioner of Patents oam PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM Dc 6'03" M A V U.$.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 196i 0-355634,

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 7S0848 D t d August 7 1973 Show Nakayama Inventor(s) It is certified thaterror appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patentare hereby corrected as shown below:

011 the cover sheet I73} Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha oyada, JidashokkiSeisakusko, Archi-ken, Japan" should read Kabushiki Kaisha ToyodaJidoshokki Seisakusho, Aichi-ken,

'apan Signed and sealed this 27th da of August 1974.

[SEAL] \ttesti icCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN dzcesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents pc'wso HO'GS] USCOMM-DC wan-m U15. GDVERNHINTHUNTING OFFICE 1965 0-365J-3w UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No. 3 750 848 Dated g t 7 1973 Show NakayamaInventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet 173} Assignee: Kabushiki Keisha Toyada, JidashokkiSeisakusko, Archi-ken, Japan" should read Kabushiki Kaisha ToyodaJidoshokki Seisakusho, Aichi-ken,

Japan Signed and sealed this 27th day of August 1974.

(SEAL) Attest;

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents oRM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMNPDC EOB'IG-Pc.

U S. GUVEINHENY FIINTING OFFICE: I969 O3$G-$Ih

1. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor forcompressing refrigerant which has entrained oil therein, said compressorbeing of the type including a pair of front and rear cylinder blockswhich are combined with each other in an axial alignment to formcombined blocks having a combining portion therebetween, separatehousings mounted at front and end sections of said combined cylinderblocks and separated therefrom by separate respective valve plates, adrive shaft inserted in a shaft-bore formed in said combined cylinderblocks, a suction inlet to said compressor, a swash-plate keyed on saiddrive shaft in the vicinity of said combining portion and capable ofrotating in a unitary state with said drive shaft, and a separate thrustbearing between each cylinder block and said swash-plate around saidshaft bore; said apparatus comprising a chamber in each said blockextending between said suction inlet and the respective valve plate andpositioned to change the direction of refrigerant entering said inlet,first passageways extending from the bottoms of said chambers fordirecting oil separated in said chambers to said shaft, and secondpassagewayS directing oil from said first passageways means to saidthrust bearings.
 2. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-platetype compressor according to claim 1 characterized in that said firstpassageways for leading the separated oil comprise oil grooves piercedthrough the junction-surfaces between said cylinder blocks and saidvalve plates, and said second passageways comprise the shaft-bore ofsaid combined cylinder blocks.
 3. An apparatus for lubricating a rotaryswash-plate type compressor according to claim 1 characterized in thatsaid first passageways for leading the separated oil comprise oilchannels arranged in said cylinder blocks, and said second passagewayscomprise the shaft-bore of said combined cylinder blocks.
 4. Anapparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor accordingto claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways for leading theseparated oil comprise oil channels arranged in said valve plates, andsaid second passageways comprise the shaft-bore of said combinedcylinder blocks.
 5. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-platetype compressor according to claim 1 characterized in that said firstpassageways for leading the separated oil comprise oil grooves piercedthrough the junction-surface between said rear cylinder block and saidcorresponding valve plate, and said second passageways comprise an oilhole longitudinally bored in said drive shaft having an opening at itsrear end communicating with said first passageways and open oil inletslocated to direct oil from said oil hole to said thrust bearings.
 6. Anapparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor accordingto claim 1 characterized in that said first passageways for leading theseparated oil comprise oil channels arranged in said cylinder blocks,and said second passageways comprise an oil hole longitudinally bored insaid drive shaft having an opening at its rear end communicating withsaid first passageways and open oil inlets located to direct oil fromsaid oil hole to said thrust bearings.
 7. An apparatus for lubricating arotary swash-plate type compressor according to claim 1 characterized inthat said first passageways for leading the separated oil comprise oilchannels arranged in said valve plates, and said second passagewayscomprise an oil hole longitudinally bored in said drive shaft having anopening at its rear end communicating with said first passageways andopen oil inlets located to direct oil from said oil hole to said thrustbearings.
 8. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate typecompressor according to claim 1 comprising a supplementary oil reservoirwithin at least one of said front and rear housings, characterized inthat said first passageways for leading the separated oil extend betweena chamber and said supplementary oil reservoir and said secondpassageways extend through an axial through-hole in said correspondingvalve plate.
 9. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate typecompressor according to claim 8 comprising a main oil reservoir at thelower portion of said compressor and comprising an oil channel meansconnecting said supplementary oil reservoir to the main oil reservoir.10. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 8 comprising a main oil reservoir at the lowerportion of said compressor and comprising an oil channel meansconnecting said supplementary oil reservoir to the main oil reservoirsaid oil channel means extending at least partly in the correspondingcylinder block.
 11. An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-platetype compressor according to claim 8 comprising a main oil reservoir atthe lower portion of said compressor and comprising an oil channel meansconnecting said supplementary oil reservoir to the main oil reservoirsaid oil channel means extending at least partly in a valve plate. 12.An apparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressoraccording to claim 1 comprisinG supplementary oil reservoirs foundwithin said front and rear housings characterized in that said firstpassageways for leading the separated oil extend via axial through holesin said respective valve plates to said supplementary reservoirs.
 13. Anapparatus for lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor accordingto claim 12 comprising a main oil reservoir at the lower portion of saidcompressor, and further comprising an oil channel connecting one of saidsupplementary oil reservoirs to the main oil reservoir.
 14. An apparatusfor lubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor according to claim12 comprising a main oil reservoir at the bottom portion of saidcompressor, and comprising oil channels connecting said supplementaryoil reservoirs to the main oil reservoir, at least a part of the oilchannels being in the corresponding cylinder block.
 15. An apparatus forlubricating a rotary swash-plate type compressor according to claim 12comprising a main oil reservoir at the bottom portion of saidcompressor, and comprising oil channels connecting said supplementaryoil reservoir to the main oil reservoir at least a part of the oilchannels being in a valve plate.
 16. An apparatus for lubricating arotary swash-plate type compressor according to claim 1 wherein saidchambers have larger cross sectional areas than said suction inlet tosaid compressor, whereby the running speed of the refrigerant in saidchambers is less than in said inlet, and oil remaining in therefrigerant separates into oil particles which fall under the force ofgravity to the bottoms of said chambers.